Rookie of the Year

Well, I did it. My goal was to chronicle Adam's first season of t-ball before his second season started, and here it is! It's a whole month till spring season starts!

Adam had an amazing first season. He improved incredibly just in the couple of months he played. He was the youngest on the team by over a year and was the first 3-year-old his coach ever had. We loved watching him improve and learn new skills--everything from standing in line to fielding grounders to hitting off the coach's pitch. He loved literally every minute of it. This kid was born to play baseball...

He chose #9 for his jersey, with no hesitation. I'm not sure what the significance was, but he really wanted that number.

He has a killer game face. Unfortunately, though...

...there were some really distracting things out in right-field. Like his awesome shadow...

...and people walking by with their dogs...

...and his super-cool new hat. Yes, he spent most of his field time either on his belly with his face on his hands or rolling around in the grass. When someone on the other team made a hit, he would take off and run up and down along the back fence...instead of running to the ball.

But when he was on form, he was downright intimidating.

He wasn't a bit nervous when it was his first time to bat.

Waiting on the bucket.

On deck!

Batter up!

First base

Second base

Third base

He got the game ball after his second game! He made the first hit of his career that game (a double!), and he scored his first run. That ball is one of his most prized possessions :).

So what was Hannah up to while Adam was playing ball?

She definitely stayed busy.

Keeping an eye on things with Daddy...

...eating dirt...

...flirting with the boys...

...and falling in love with Ethan Holcomb.

They had some great times together, sharing snacks; climbing the bleachers; chasing dogs; seeing who could "cheer" the loudest. They were hilarious :).

Adam turned 4 toward the end of the season, so I thought it would be fun to have his party between baseball games the Saturday after his birthday. We had both our families and the whole team join us for cake, so it was a nice big crowd :). We had a blast.

(The little red-head eyeing the cake is Adam's cousin, Carter. I was surprised he was able to wait long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" :)...).

Hannah eating cake with Aunt Melody.

The highlight of every game for Adam (aside from getting snack) was huddling up with his team to put his hand in and yell,

"1, 2, 3, Indians!"

Here is his last at-bat of the season.

It definitely seemed like he was going for a dramatic end to the season--he was waiting until everyone was looking at him before he swung...

...and after all that, he got tagged out at first. Oh, well :).

Here he is getting his first trophy!

The Cleveland Indians

With Coach Mike

All in all, it was a wonderful season. His coach was fantastic, very patient and encouraging, and his teammates were so sweet. He got along with all of them really well. We're excited for another season starting up in March!